Forced marriage legislation
Robert Troy asks about legislation on forced marriages involving minors and seeks updates on related child-protection and lottery legislation. Coveney says the Justice Department must assess the court judgment and will provide further information on the outstanding matters.
In his judgment yesterday Mr. Justice John McMenamin referred to the issue of forced marriages, particularly of under-age girls. He cited a legal lacuna in this area. Can the Government commit to introducing legislation in this regard? I understand the Government has had the 2012 report by the independent Government rapporteur on child protection since January of this year. Can the Minister give an indication of when this report will be published?
My final question relates to the legislation brought before the Seanad by Senator John Kelly and the legislation in the lottery system for Friday morning sittings. Given that both Members are members of Government parties, will the Government commit to introducing legislation to deal with the regulation of wind energy, as discussed earlier this morning?
Comment on this
I have already commented on the wind energy concerns.
Comment on this
There are two tranches of legislation in the system.
Comment on this
If there is legislation in the lottery system then it will come up for a Friday sitting.
Comment on this
What about the legislation in the Seanad?
Comment on this
I can ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, or the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to get back to Deputy Troy on that, if he wishes.
The Department of Justice and Equality will have to consider the court judgment yesterday on forced marriages and minors in forced marriages. I do not believe it is appropriate to indicate otherwise and anyway I cannot give an accurate response from the Government. We will have to wait for the Minister to come back with the recommendation, but I will certainly raise it directly with him.